Fender Reissues The Original First Year Stratocaster! 70th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster

In 1954 Leo Fender, hot on the heels of the successful Telecaster designed and launched a new electric guitar that would help to shape music for decades to come. The Fender Stratocaster has become synonymous with electric guitar. Often copied by competition the 1954 Stratocaster became the blueprint of a modern, comfortable and versatile electric guitar. Employed by greats like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many more! The new 70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster captures the magic of those original guitar down to the plastics used on the guitar. Reissued only during the anniversary periods this is a limited chance to own a piece of history.
Shop the Fender American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster: bit.ly/3uWSkHk
0:00 Intro
1:42 History of the Stratocaster
3:52 1954 Stratocaster Specs
9:25 1954 Stratocaster Demo
12:26 Final Thoughts
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[@Tonetwisters]

My very first guitar was a 1954 Stratocaster. Under the Christmas tree, in 1963. Out the window of my brother's '61 FORD station wagon in July 1965. BTW: Most players knew nothing about the notch positions until Eric Clapton let the cat out of the bag in one of the early Guitar Player magazines, in the early '70s. Here in Jacksonville, Florida, a guy named Jimmy Amerson figured it out in the early '60s. I love the early Stratocasters, love the early '60s as well.

[@cpoyet4107]

For me the 54 is the best, Eric Johnson and other guitar heros played it and it makes more sense to me to collect a 54 as a Fender Stratocaster than any other version...

[@martinsundland7614]

I have absolutely no idea how anyone could decide which of the umpteen versions of the Strat Fender has on offer would be the final choice. It's truly mind-boggling.

[@SoCalGreenParty]

Thats why we buy more than one! =)

[@Cmunic8]

@@SoCalGreenParty👍🤘

[@athathoththegreat3901]

As a metal guy I have to say WOW!!! That guy can play. You made that guitar sing. Great video!!

[@robinsonrojosolar8528]

Wonderful sound, Beautiful guitar !!!!!!

[@Visions_in_Toyko]

I just got one of these last week and it’s absolutely stunning. Certainly the pride of my small collection

[@RevMishka]

Fender really upped their game with this 70th Anniversary Strat… it looks and sounds like the original at a much more reasonable price point than the Custom Shop version… I personally love it! Mine is on order and my other 4 Strats and I await its arrival with bated breath!

[@arniebaird7852]

Nice riffs to walk with. Thanks Cooper!

[@mougabo]

i mean, looks beautiful and its voice is amazing.......

[@valjatriogina228]

The most genius point on a Strat is, that even in a 100 years from now, there can be people blurbing for hours about this Instrument! Its all about presentation😂

[@antoonhermans8953]

What i like about the strat is the fact that it is just perfect , an tele . lp , sg , ES 335 , firebird , flying V , jazzmaster ect. ect. are all nice , but they all have something i do not like somehow ( too heavy , too big , muddy neck pu's , neck diving , ugly looks / design ect.) , so yeah , after more then 40 years of playing all these types of guitars i sold them all and have kept my squire cv strat so i can noodle a bit at home and just have fun , together with my sigma DR 28 acoustic guitar this for me is the ideal guitar setup and i do not miss all the other types off guitars at all . Greetings from Holland , i do enjoy you're reviews , keep em coming : ) .

[@MultiDreamer1979]

I agree in a way i love my strat but for the first time ever i bought a American professional 2 telecaster in roasted pine and I’m sold i think the Tele is the sound I’ve been looking for years..the playability is one of the things definitely noticed being a little better then my strat.but both are just one of the best choices in our modern guitar world.

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@MultiDreamer1979 hello , yes . tele's are great , enjoy you're new guitar !

[@dalecoffing8655]

It sounds like a Strat they way a strat should sound. Really liked the blues Copper! You were in to it!

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I don't mind so much that they don't come with straps anymore. What I do mind is the quality control. I bought a $1700 2022 American Pro II Tele that couldn't play an open D the intonation was off so bad. It needed a serious set up from the factory and the bridge adjustment screws were also stripped from the factory. My Acoustic Junior amp foot switch has malfunctioned after a month. And my 6 month old Blues Junior needed $500 worth of work to make it reliable after half the resistors crapped out. My Blues deluxe is going strong, though I did replace the spring reverb tank after 2 months. (And returned the first one which was DOA out of the box.) Fender needs to up their QC game. On the other hand I just bought a $799.00 walnut Taylor Academy 12e and the guitar is one of the best set up guitars I own straight from the factory. And my 2002 314CE is a champ. Though after 22 years of gigging does need some maintenance, though I am retiring it to couch duty and replacing it with an AD12e-SB.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

Unacceptable.

[@Childofbhaal]

For guitars I much prefer G&L over Fender. My G&L ASAT Special was absolutely flawless. Not a thing off with it. Perfectly built and set up. I was floored by the quality control

[@rmzzz76]

The Fender Stratocaster may be the most enduring product every made. It's just that time less. Fender's new motto "Forever ahead of its time" is so fitting. It's a marvel of industrial design

[@kellygotell1179]

I tried a pro ll 2 tone sunburst with maple fretboard at my local shop today and I really liked it. A hint of 54 with the 2 tone burst, and maple board, with modern features like 9.5” radius, comfortable neck, v mod pickups and it was very light.

[@mauriciom.jr.1829]

Fender rules. Hello from Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. 🤘🤘🤘

[@joemccarthy641]

I'm looking at this 70th Anniversary '54 model and I like it. However, since I already have an Eric Johnson "Virginia", I'd have to play the '54 model in a store before I could make up my mind. Good review gentlemen!

[@stuartmills6531]

I was 12 and learning to play in ‘54. Started a little band in58-59 one of the “boyz” bought a ‘58. I want it.

[@andreybyl]

Fantastic playing

[@paydro248]

He played absolute sh*t outta that Strat 🤙🏻

[@synonyx]

Last few years I've been digging the AmPro2 models, just a all around great strat.

[@ferraridinoman]

Nice one Guys! (Nice to have a demo without going through 1001 bloody distortion pedals too!)

[@robertdodd8169]

Seen an original 54 at Norms a few days ago in mint condition. Sounded great.

[@A_Noid]

Besides the 5 way switch and the humcancelling 2nd and 4th positions, it was pretty much perfect from the start.

[@donmunson4802]

If those pickups are still period correct, they have Alnico3 magnets. That actually separates this model from all others. I'm a little surprised you guys were not aware of that.

[@josephlerz6889]

I really wouldn't be sure which is better between the 54 & the 57's strats and the early 60's. I think ideally having one of each, but I haven't played all side by side. Since their expensive and harder to experience I probably wouldn't get to know. In my beginner -intermediate ears a player strat even sounds decent so any of the best instruments would be immensely better. It would only come down to the pick ups and neck profile. I like the tones of both maple and rosewoods.

[@artrogers3985]

Nice playing Coops. But I bet you have heard that once or twice before 🎸

[@grandpapafortyeight9483]

Nice guitar. I have a 40th anniversary reissue 54. Love it but it’s Les Paul heavy at 9lbs 10ounces. Wonder if these new ones are also heavy?

[@PK-pk3cq]

Hello from the UK🤘. Love your reviews

[@MrTkeddo]

50’s strats always reminds me of Buddy Holly

[@pepmasters-999]

The Strat body shape is just a straight up work of art, a slinky, timeless, iconic design that hasn't really ever been bettered. The switching eventually got improved, but other than that, they pretty much had everything in place from the get go. Personally don't like the Strat's floating bridge or the plastic knobs, but love its tones and looks. Re: this specific resissue...Love the ash, but the old American Originals offer much better value on the secondhand market for something not too dissimilar.

[@ripw1]

How does this compare to the Eric Johnson Virginia 54 that you reviewed a while back

[@jordostoadhole]

11:11 go off coop 👏

[@Hellyaman]

Hey the one-year anniversary of your podcast since you last uploaded it is coming up in a few weeks what are you doing to celebrate going to go another year without doing a podcast?

[@baileyva]

How does this compare with the Eric Jonson 1954 Stratocaster ?

[@conorfurlong]

Very very nice guitar but correct me if I’m wrong… This is essentially an AV 2 guitar with a 20% price increase from Fender because of the number 70…

[@jimlutz8092]

Is it me, or do these 54 replica pickups have little to no hum? Is it being buffed by an attenuator? My American Standard Strat, in comparison, hums so noticeably loud that I only play it in the 2 & 4 positions of that 5-way switch.

[@siegriedroy6467]

Hey guys! Whattabout the wheight of this ash guitar? Heavy or light? Best regardos from Germany!

[@weirdboy7]

According to Matthew Scott, it's a bit on the heavier side. 8 lbs 12 oz.

[@rmzzz76]

You guys going to demo the new Taylor 117e. They introduced a GP model into the 100 series with C-class bracing, Taylor sent out announcement e-mails and has it listed on their website, but not a single KZbin demo... Guess they didn't send payment

[@AlamoMusic]

Lots of new product to film, but it’s on the list!

[@curtrod]

9:25 for the demo

[@Lomoholga2]

Crazy price for a guitar that they can make so easily today

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

This is basically the Fender 75th Commemorative Anniv Strat!

[@michaelorth6920]

Is that where the truss rod adjustment was in 54?

[@kellygotell1179]

The only negative is it has no tone control for the bridge pickup

[@jgiaccotto78]

Does the bridge come decked to the body with five springs on this model?

[@GaryCost]

Mine came with only 3 springs.

[@jgiaccotto78]

@@GaryCost was the bridge floating or decked ? ty

[@GaryCost]

@@jgiaccotto78 Greetings! Mine came with a ‘floating’ bridge. I personally don’t use a ‘whammy bar’ so during setup, I blocked it and set it flat on the body.

[@jgiaccotto78]

@@GaryCost does the guitar tone sound different when u blocked it? Or pretty much the same ?

[@GaryCost]

@@jgiaccotto78 I heard no difference in tone at all.

[@ruffryder13]

I like the old school guitars. But, like everyon else, that current price! Yikes

[@josephlerz6889]

Yeah 100% anything more than $1,988 USD is getting beyond how far I'd ever buy. I'm happy with my Player series but that guitar is undoubtedly nicer tone. I'm interested in the 1954 maple fender strats, the 1963 rosewood fender strats and probably the 1959 Gibson Custom Les Pauls.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Vintage Schmintage! No disrespect to Alamo, as Copper is a great player and presenter. I’m just tired of the vintage thing. I like 9.5 radius, jumbo frets and hotter pups more than ever.

[@Telewest792]

I bought one of the 1954 they did 10 years ago and i still have it at the time the said they would only build nineteen hundred and fifty four of them and now here we are again i do wish they would stick with what they say and leave it at that . Now those first guitars are no longer a collectors guitar thanks fender .

[@poornoodle9851]

They have released these 3 times as far as I know, 2004, 2014 and now 2024.

[@dereksilva7876]

Nope. I need a 5 way toggle switch. Those in between positions are essential.

[@renodavid]

They include a 5-way in the case. 🎸👍

[@adrianoab2]

Did Cooper say there’s a 51 Strat? I mean, 54 right?

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Also the period correct pricing 😅

[@santacompana818]

Disculpe? 21 Vintage-Style Frets and 3 way Switch??? Puede haber algo peor por 2800 euros?

[@TREVORJB101]

Cool, but they need to stick to the period correct clear lacquer. The neck on this is way too orange. FCS has also released a 54RI for the 70th anniversary, and it has a much more natural looking neck.

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

My 60th 54 RI had a bone white neck when I got it. It has since naturally darkened, but is still far lighter than this 70th RI.

[@jamesmcgrath6938]

There’s always something done wrong isn’t there. Just accept the fact they went as far as the specs they’ve covered. I think it’s the best reissue they’ve done yet. Looks better with the tint. I have a 65 Reissue with non tinted lacquer and I absolutely hate that it hasn’t aged after 10 years of gigging. So best if it’s been tinted ❤

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

@jamesmcgrath6938 your guitars neck probably isn't lacquer then. They probably duped you with a thin poly coat. Real lacquer ages, darkens and eventually cracks.

[@jamesmcgrath6938]

Doubt it, its a 2013 AVRI its lacquer. Its taken 10 years even look lightly discoloured, certainly hasn't darkened. mind you I've looked after it for over that time, but from what you're as a finish, it isn't true, its definitely lacquer. My point is natural tint looks like trash, especially with a classic colour like dakota or fiesta red, they've learned their lessons from many iterations of the American Deluxe V Necks with vintage colours as such.@@ALT3REDB3AST

[@A_Noid]

@@ALT3REDB3ASTit’s a 10 year old guitar. It wouldn’t be that damaged/faded in that time.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

I wonder if Fender will ever start Plekking their frets and nuts like Gibson.

[@doncowie8653]

Seen one of these in a UK store and it is 8lbs 6oz, way too heavy for a high end Strat for me. Fenders in general seem to be getting heavier.

[@sale83]

I am juat worried will it be too similar to my 56.

[@mrshiney2]

Best all time improvement...noiseless pick ups

[@woobiecat5631]

New to guitars. Bought new ultra last year from dealer. I thought a more expensive guitar would be better and have less issues...wrong. Needed several hundreds in set up and fret work. Not impressed with ultra Fender. Bought a squire for $280 and it played better than the ultra straight out of the box. Now, i would never buy a guitar without playing multiples examples first.

[@_Yep_Yep_]

70th anniversary, so I get it. Fender deserves a brag and to kick out something like this. Me, Im not good enough to dial in a relic to milk out the unicorn tone and im not sure I'll ever be. Im okay with my modern Fender that has a more stable, more intuitive 2 point trem/locking tuners and a slick matte neck at less than half this price. I dont hate this guitar, though. I think its targeted at dialed in players and I even suspect theyd find 1700 bucks to be a steal. Probably going to be something for the flippers to hoard and lord over i guess is worst you would hear me opine. I guess my most salient point would be to hope Fender looks forward as much as they look backwards. The strat and the tele were innovations that changed the world, and theres more innovation and modernization due for electric and acoustic guitars that Fender sorta appears to be...reluctant to address. Anyways, its limited run for a niche group and I hope you guys that get one enjoy them.

[@nigelseymour4850]

no leftie available...that sucks!

[@CustomTele52RI]

Amazing how they keep making the same guitar over and over again and charging more for it. Be forewarned that the 7.25" radius neck was abandoned decades ago for very good reasons. This model has great tone but I find it difficult to play, so likely to end up becoming wall candy for most modern players IMHO.

[@curtiswright989]

Ordered this guitar last week. Still haven't seen it. WTF !!!!!!

[@seanrosedotcom]

I would have been more interested in this model if it had shipped as a hard tail only. Burst S-style guitars with tremelo are a dime a dozen from 1000+ different manufacturers.

[@user-om9ix2lh3t]

Fender rules,the rest drools...😂😂😂😂😂

[@lexgarnier]

No lefties again Fender.. it’s used to be Gibson that sucked at this, now it’s Fender. Shame.anyways it’s nowhere near as good as the old American vintage line

[@samfrombelgium]

How can u re invent the wheel 70th times and change ....nothing... fender...😂 good marketing team for sure. I love fender btw but cmon every year the same 2 guitars , tele and strat rebranded.

[@rockers2rockers616]

Youre missing the point. Fender got it bang on when he made this guitar. And consider that Leo Fender couldn't play guitar. Instead he listened to what the pro guitar players of the time wanted in a 'Working' guitar. Later he made the Bass guitar. The man was a genius. Add to that the amplifiers he built. Why shouldn't Fender celebrate their history? Not everyone can afford a genuine 1954 Fender Stratocaster.

[@AlphaAchilles]

I’m holding this guitar right now and I hate this guitar. It just feels so cheap considering how much I paid for it. It sounds awful and it feels like shit.

[@OldGrowthRedwood]

Yawn, another Anniversary addition. Sorry, sounds thin, bright, tinny.

[@fernandocesar2389]

I agree!

[@michaelr.4878]

Bahhh... no offense intended towards the two gents on the screen, but a strat is a strat...and a strat is crap. While they are super comfortable to play, strats have never agreed with me. If I am paying a lot of money for an American made guitar (and I have several of them), I am not getting a guitar with a bolt on neck. When spending that kind of money, I want the satisfaction that the craftmen who made it at least had to do a little work. Yes, I know CNC machines are used by all of the fancy companies today. But the manufacture of a set neck or neck through guitar involves more than 4 bolts and maybe a shim. A monkey could be trained to build a Fender guitar.

[@jameswebster8105]

troll

[@alshotrodgarage4779]

Simplicity is perfection and alterations are not necessary Ask Jimi Hendrix PERIOD AMEN